Attributed to Guillaume Desire Joseph Descamps (Lille 1779-1858 Paris)Venus leading Helen to Paris
oil on canvas
148.5 x 188cm (58 7/16 x 74in).注脚Provenance
Probably the collection of the artist
Probably his posthumous sale, 30-31 May 1859 (sold for 52 francs as non terminé)
With Jean François Heim, London, 1978

Literature
Possibly Livrets of the Salons for 1819 and 1824 (nos. 333 and 492 respectively)
Possibly C. Gabet, Dictionnaire des Artistes de l'École Française, Paris, 1931, p. 205 (with the measurements inverted '6p. sur 4p. 6po' and stating that it was exhibited in 1819)
Possibly M. Guyot de Fère, Annuaire Statistique des Artistes Français, Paris, 1836 (as exhibited in 1824)
Probably P. Burty, 'Vente de l'Atelier de Guillaume Descamps' in Gazette des Beaux-Arts, vol. I, 1859, p. 373

An unfinished work of this subject is mentioned as amongst the contents of the artist's studio at his death. Descamps is also known to have exhibited or submitted works of Venus leading Helen to Paris for the Salons of 1819 and 1824.